Bathroom vanities are often the center pieces of a bathroom, particularly master
bathrooms. They can add drama to your bathroom, and ultimately the design and decor
of your home. When remodeling your bathroom, replacing the vanity is a quick and easy way to give your bathroom a face lift.
Today, consumers enjoy a wide selection of stylish and elegant vanities derived
from a wide range of materials. Whether you prefer antique-inspired vanities, contemporary
sleek vanities or something in between, you will probably have very little trouble
finding one that meets your needs. In fact, your biggest problem may be
in narrowing down the choices.
Bathroom Vanity Basics
There are two styles of bathroom vanities on the market: the built-in and the freestanding.
The built-in vanity has a base cabinet located beneath the sink. These units are
useful if you are in need of storage space or prefer to keep your countertops free
of clutter. Built-ins come in a variety of contemporary and traditional styles.
The cabinets are commonly made out of woods such as walnut, oak, maple, mahogany
and cherry.
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Freestanding vanities are great in small bathrooms, half-baths and powder rooms
where space is a premium. Freestanding vanities aren't fixed to the wall by anything
but the plumbing. These vanities are popular with consumers who want a more modern,
sleek style for their bathroom. Freestanding units typically do not offer a sink
cabinet, and the plumbing is exposed to the naked eye. Another important side note
if you decide on a wall-mounted, freestanding vanity is that you may need to remove
a small section of your bathroom's drywall in order to access the wall studs and
to attach blocking.
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Prior to beginning your vanity search, be sure to accurately measure your available
space. The last thing you want to do is purchase a unit that is too big for your
bathroom's space. Bathroom vanity cabinets are available in widths of 18 inches
up to 48 inches in 6 inch increments.
Vanity Countertops
Vanity countertops are also produced from a variety of materials. Laminates, ceramic
tile, wood, composite materials, stone, stainless steel and concrete are all commonly
used in the manufacturing of vanity countertops. Bathroom countertops experience
a great deal of wear and tear on a daily basis. Some countertops endure better than
others; however most materials-even stone and tile-can suffer from some types of
damage. When selecting your countertop material keep in mind that:
Stone
Stone is beautiful and durable, but can be expensive and is known to stain
easily. Properly sealing and maintaining the surface is essential.
Ceramic
Ceramic is one of the more commonly used materials because of its durability.
Unfortunately, the grout between the tiles can become stained. Additionally, the
tiles can have irregular surfaces which make a flat even surface difficult to achieve.
Wood
Wood such as oak and mahogany can be pricier but offer solid construction
and style. Wood countertops must be well-maintained or consumers may face issues
with staining and mildew.
Concrete
Concrete is versatile and can be stained and glazed to nearly any color.
It is durable and heat resistant but can discolor and crack. As with marble and
granite, concrete corners and edges can chip if struck by a hard object.
Other Materials
Laminates, composite materials, solid surface materials and stainless steel
are materials often considered to be susceptible to scratches. The bright side is
that they can be repaired and replaced easily, if the need arises.
Considerations When Selecting a Vanity
You may find it easy to get caught up in the multitude of choices available, but
functionality should not take a back seat when selecting a bathroom vanity. No one
is suggesting that you need to focus on practicality and function because you can
truly have beauty and style as well. However, by asking yourself a few simple questions,
you can quickly determine what particular design may work best. From there, it will
then just be a matter of picking the style you like the most.
Ask yourself:
- Do I have adequate shelving or cabinet space in the bathroom? If not, a built-in
cabinet vanity may provide additional storage space compared to a free standing
or wall mounted unit.
- What size of vanity are you looking for and what size can your space handle? Accurate
measuring is a must. While your bathroom may be able to handle a larger sized vanity,
would it look appropriate in the space?
- Who will be using the vanity? If two or more people need to use the space at the
same time, a double sink may come in handy.
After you have answered these questions, you can begin to explore the style option
that best compliments your bathroom's decor.
Bathroom Vanity Styles
Top Selling/Rated Brands/Products
Bissonnet
imports European, high quality, designer products for the bathroom. Their product
line includes basins, washstands, consoles, bath furniture and vanity mirrors, in
styles that range from traditional and elegant to modern and contemporary. By combining
materials such as ceramic, glass, wood, marble, high tech, and stainless steel,
Bissonnet products are able to provide the freedom to create bathroom compositions that are both aesthetically
pleasing and functional in virtually any style.
The
Vichy II Wall-Mount Wood Bathroom Double Vanity with Two Vessel Sinks is a stylish,
solid wood wall-mount bathroom double vanity finished in dark chocolate. It features
one central three-drawer compartment, two one-door compartments with single shelves
and wire baskets, and two open shelf compartments. The
Ivor Wood Bathroom Vanity with Drop-In Sink is a solid wood bathroom vanity
finished in cherry with a white drop-in ceramic sink and a Travertine marble top
with backsplash. The vanity features two curved doors that conceal a single fixed
shelf and a free-standing two-drawer cabinet. The
Baden Baden Wood Bathroom Vanity with Vessel Sink is a solid wood modular
vanity finished in rustic wood with a white ceramic vessel sink and top in special
wood. The vanity consists of three cabinets: one central sink cabinet with door
and swing-down drawer, one four-drawer side cabinet, and one open side cabinet with
two shelves.
Lacava
is dedicated to providing ingenious and inspiring bathroom collections. The company
is able to specialize in both contemporary and traditional styles for homes due
in large part to their collaboration with designers from around the world. Their
product collections are constantly changing and expanding as they continually strive
to shape the forthcoming market trends. The wall-mounted
Bathroom Vanity with Integrated Bowl includes a clear glass top with integral
bowl, and chrome brackets with towel bar. Lacava's
Bathroom Vanity w/ Aqua Green Glass Integrated Bowl includes a green glass
top with integral bowl, and chrome brackets with towel bar.
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The Renaissance brand
offers consumers a collection of ultra-modern unique pieces for their bathrooms.
For example, the
Charlotte Vanity is a wrought iron vanity that was granted Winner of the
International Design Competition of Montreal. This unique vanity will bring an exceptional
design look to all your bathroom remodeling plans. Another modern styled piece worth
mentioning is the Large Basin w/Wrought Vanity & Drain Cup in Onyx.
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Decolav
wants to change the way you view your bathroom. They are committed to being innovative
and responsive. The company prides itself on offering high-end designer looks without
the astronomical price tag. Their
Sleek Wood Designed Vanity in White Expresso includes a coordinating mirror
and frosted integrated glass sink with Chrome accents and two moveable shelves.
The
Tempered Glass Lav Console/ Wood Base with
Mirror and Storage Cabinet in Transparent Natural Glass/Ceramic White also
includes a mirror and storage cabinet.
If you refuse to compromise on style but find yourself restricted by a tight budget,
do not despair. There are several stylish pieces for around $500. The
Verona Vanity Sink was specially designed to project a classic and sophisticated
style. It is made from solid hardwood in a distressed black finish and a black/gray
marble top. The
Tivoli Vanity Sink is elegant while staying true to a classic European style.
The vanity incorporates a metal base finished in brushed gold with a cream marble
top. Create your ideal bathroom with the chic
Corsica Vanity Sink. The antique gold metal vanity base includes a cream
marble top and a white sink. The matching Corsica Wall Mirror also has an antique
gold finish that complements the European design.
Price Range
A vanity is an excellent addition to a bathroom and is not only aesthetically pleasing,
but very functional. It is often the dominant piece of furniture in the bathroom
and as such is a relatively expensive fixture. There are large variances found in
the pricing of bathroom vanities. This is mainly a result of the different types
of materials and construction methods used to manufacture the vanities. In most
situations, the cost of the counter top also figures predominately into the final
price. For example, vanities with elaborate tile, marble or stone designs are likely to
be highest in price. Additionally, vanities crafted from rare wood or designed by
famous designers will be far more expensive in price than simple vanities that are
mass produced.
Several new vanity options can be found in your local home improvement center starting
as low as $85 and going as high as $300. If you are shopping for a specific private-label
brand or style, prices can increase dramatically, but so does your selection of
choices and designs. If you are looking for a higher quality, unique piece, you
will find several options between $400 and $500. The average price a consumer can
expect to pay is between $600 and $800. The most expensive can run you as much as
$3500 to $4000. One way in which to save money is to consider buying vanity sets
rather than buying piece by piece as separate items. Often, you are able to secure
a larger overall discount by purchasing a set.
This may seem like a lot of money to spend on a single fixture, but with the average
cost of remodeling a bathroom trending at $10,000, it may be viewed as money well-spent.
After all, if you are able to see an increase in your home’s value after remodeling
your bathroom, wouldn't you consider that money well-spent?
Top Manufacturers